9 best astro turf boots for playing football on 3G and 4G pitches

Best: Overall

Rating: 9/10

We featured the original Phantom GT Elite boots in a previous version of this round-up: a whole roster of professionals swear by the phantoms, and the second edition serves to build on its glowing reputation.

The GT stands for “generative texture”, referring to the particular design of Nike’s flyknit upper. Straight from the serious-sounding Nike sport research lab, the texture is patterned and angled in such a way as to create the optimum level of grip. However the clever bods in the research lab have done it, they’ve delivered supreme control and spin when connecting with the ball that could elevate anyone’s game.

The “all conditions control” technology ensures that optimum control is retained in dry and wet conditions by keeping the same level of friction on the boot’s surface. The flyknit upper now also stretches further up your ankle, providing more support while still feeling like you’re putting on a sock. A worthy successor to the original GT.

There is a TF version that’s based on the firm ground boot (£72.95, Nike.com), but if you’re playing regularly on a 3G or 4G pitch – especially 11-a-side – these boots are hard to beat and a statement of intent.

Best: For strikers

Rating: 8.5/10

Adidas has a great track record when it comes to bright boots for strikers: the footballing prestige linked to the word “predator” is enough proof of that. The X speedflow.1 builds on Adidas’s penchant for incredibly lightweight speed demons, with a series of developments geared towards quick, intense movement – perfect for the six-yard assassin.

“Light”’ is the buzzword for the speedflow. The sturdy internal frame provides reinforcement for the extra-lightweight upper, helping you both make sudden, explosive movements and protect your feet from any aggressive defenders. Speed is also the focus when it comes to the featherweight midsole and rubber outsole designed specifically for artificial turf.

The upper is perfect for precise shooting, but as it’s so thin, you feel the connection pretty acutely: great for accuracy, but it takes some getting used to. Adidas’s speedflow range benefits from an almost vacuum-like fit, aiding your agility and feeling like a slipper – though we recommend you go up half a size.

Best: For defenders

Rating: 8.5/10

You can trust Umbro to produce a good boot, and the “speciali eternal” range – Premier and team – doesn’t disappoint. The classic leather boot has been souped up for the modern game, based on an evolved version of the original “speciali” range.

These are the best choice for defenders – they’re a wider fit than the others within this round-up, which adds stability when backing up against a pacy winger. The hard, full grain leather, once broken in, has a supreme touch. These boots are for the unabashed football connoisseur, with a luxury finish to the front that almost made us feel bad for spoiling the look of them with an inch-perfect sliding tackle. Not quite, though.

Best: For speed

Rating: 8.5/10

The firm ground/artificial ground ultra 1.3 has taken the already lightweight brilliance of the ultra 1.2 (£180, Puma.com) and somehow shaved more non-existent bulk off. This isn’t to say that it’s a flimsy boot by any stretch: the strong sole ably aids any explosive acceleration and turning speed you might be lucky to possess. The 1.3 is narrower than its relatively wide predecessor, creating a tighter fit, but one that stays comfortable.

There’s a stickiness to the exterior fabric that helps with close control and accurate passing. While the lightness of the boot (even as far as transparent panels in the side) doesn’t provide a huge amount of protection from a tackle, the bounce you enjoy from the tech inside the boot means you should’ve jumped over the defender’s foot with ease, anyway.

The ultra 1.3 is the first boot to be offered in both a unisex and women-specific fit, blazing a trail for inclusivity in the beautiful game. Makes sense to us.

Best: For the connoisseur

Rating: 8.5/10

Pantofola d’Oro makes some of the purest football boots in the industry, and the del duca is no exception. It’s immediately obvious how much consideration and skill has been invested in the making of these boots. The hand stitched upper is padded and precise, with a quality rarely matched on the larger market. The quilted front and toe adds a layer of protection and luxury to your game while providing some help for your first touch (not that you need it, of course).

We’ve mentioned before how Pantofola d’Oro boots are for the casual player that loves football nostalgia and top-quality, handmade products. The del duca boots mix old-school aesthetic with a more contemporary silhouette to give you the best of both worlds.

Best: For balance

Rating: 8.5/10

As a relative newcomer to the boot market, New Balance has caught up quickly with the big names, and no shoe is a better example of this than the furon v6 pro. The upper – made from the brand’s lightweight “fit weave” fabric – almost feels like a sock, but keeps it shape well, and the elastic knit collar completes the design around the ankle for one of the snuggest fits on this list.

Acceleration is the focus here, with the sole of the boot curled at the front for lower toe spring. On hard ground and artificial pitches, the studs do most of the work for you, their position aiding braking and acceleration.

Best: Classic look

Rating: 8/10

The great Mundial doesn’t need much of an introduction – any kid who had these growing up was the envy of the schoolyard, and that feeling hasn’t stopped into adulthood. Suede and kangaroo leather work together for high performance and comfort, while a hard-as-nails sole hides a springy foam midsole.

The look fantastic with the tongue up, but this also doubles as a way to cover the laces on the pitch for a cleaner connection. But these are good enough to wear off the pitch, too, if that’s your style. It’s a heavier boot, but, much like the Umbro speciali, not enough to hinder your game, and can, in fact, enhance defensive performance with its wider base. Long live the Mundial.

Best: For acceleration

Rating: 8/10

Another of the big players in boots, Puma’s latest astro offering in the “ultra” collection is a great-value option for the attack-minded player, especially in the bold, brash and aptly-named “sunblaze-Puma white-bluemazing” colour palette. The snazzy design isn’t just for Instagram, however: Puma’s grip control provides a great touch on the ball when going forward, and the lace closure offers a snug fit for a slipper effect.

The sole has been designed with running spikes in mind, which aids acceleration, and seems thicker and shock absorbent without the loss of any speed. The upper is super lightweight and holds its form well: you would fancy its chances under the strain of the odd niggle from an opposition player.

Best: Budget boot

Rating: 7/10

This is a really capable shoe. One of Decathlon’s in-house brands, Kipsta might be more towards the budget end of the spectrum, but it still produces good products, including these boots.

The high lining around the ankle gives joint support and creates a nice cushion. Good padding around the foot helps the fit, while not getting in the way of ball control. These also looks a bit flash while not going over the top, and the strap at the back actually makes putting them on a pleasure instead of the usual struggle.

There are budget aspects to these boots, but nothing that would get in the way of a purchase. Most importantly, they feel sturdy, meaning there won’t be any issues of them falling apart when you’re one-on-one with the goalkeeper.